Gogoi on funds use

A STAFF REPORTER

Guwahati; July 24: Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi today asked the senior officials of different departments to improve the utilisation of the plan funds and submit utilisation certificates for timely withdrawal of funds from the Centre.

“The plan utilisation has to improve by all means and there should be no excuse for not utilising it. If any problem arises we have to sit together and sort it out,” Gogoi said in a review meeting in Dispur.

He said he would review the status of utilisation every month. Reviewing the status of implementation of various flagship programmes and Centre-sponsored schemes, Gogoi directed the finance department to issue a circular to the departments within July 31 to ensure that the schemes can be implemented smoothly.

The Centre has changed its policy of releasing funds for the flagship programmes directly to the deputy commissioners, which are now routed to the state government.

Gogoi also discussed about the posts, which are lying vacant in the schools in different districts even after fresh appointment of TET-qualified teachers.

Gogoi said the possibility of district-wise recruitment to fill up the vacancies needs to be explored seriously.

“No teacher post must lie vacant. Otherwise, it would bring no benefit to the students,” he said. Gogoi asked the departmental heads to submit about the status of vacant posts in their departments and make plan to fill them up within a stipulated timeframe.

“We need to have the requisite manpower to improve governance at all levels. For that the vacancies have to be filled up within a stipulated time limit,” he added. Gogoi also emphasised the need to take steps to light up the streets of Guwahati for which Rs 25 crore had been proposed.

Gogoi asked the officials of Urban Development Department to study the ‘smart city’ concept so that it is implemented in a time-bound manner. Gogoi asked the officials to procure power from the national grid to meet the current shortfall of 200-300MW daily.

“Measures both short and long terms have to be taken up to reduce the shortfall of power,” he said.